Students may submit work in any of the many subjenres of creative non-fiction: memoir or autobiography, essay, literary journalism, or profiles of people or places. Submissions may be "conventional” or “experimental” and may represent any creative non-fiction tradition. However, the best work will demonstrate compelling literary merit. Open to high school and college levels. Submissions not falling within the guidelines outlined below will not be considered.

Entries accepted March 1–April 30, 2013, Noon CST.

High School Creative Non-Fiction Writing Award Competition is open to students currently enrolled in a high school accredited by the US. Students may submit one or more pieces of writing as one file, maximum 10 single-spaced pages, endorsed by a teacher and released by a parent or guardian. Winner recieves the following:• Cash award of $2,500• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony

Community College Creative Non-Fiction Writing Award Competition is open to full-time students enrolled in two-year colleges, junior colleges, and technical colleges. Maximum 15 single-spaced pages. Winner will receive the following:• Cash award of $2,500• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony

Four-Year College Creative Non-Fiction Writing Award Competition is open to current full-time undergraduate students. Maximum 15 single-spaced pages. Winner will receive the following:• Cash award of $5,000• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony

College Poetry Award open to full time students enrolled in four-year colleges, two-year colleges, junior colleges, and technical colleges. Students may submit one or more poems, to a maximum of 10 pages. The winner will receive:• Cash award of $2,500• *Travel and lodging to attend the Colony’s National Award Ceremony

*Funding for travel to the awards ceremony for the award winner is limited to coach airfare within the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Outside of the US, a $500 USD payment toward travel will be allowed. Hotel/lodging at the awards event will be covered.

Formatting Guidelines

The writing you upload must include a title, your name, and page numbers within your file. Please use a plain, common, and easily readable font, such as Times New Roman, 11- or 12-point. Accepted file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .txt (maximum file size: 8 megabytes).

Prizes

One winner in each category will receive a cash award and will be an honored guest at the Colony’s National Award Ceremony in New York City in the Fall 2013. Winners will be notified in September. Four finalists in each category will be awarded trophies. Up to fifteen semifinalists in each category will be awarded certificates.

Judging

Submissions will be read by national panels of teachers and writers. They will be judged by how well they achieve several qualities, including the artful treatment of subject matter; originality; quality of insight, image, voice, and style; artful arrangement of elements and materials; and overall aesthetic, emotional or intellectual effect.